Local News
57-year-old Lori Whiteley killed in Wood County crash
TOWN OF SIGEL, Wis. — A 57-year-old Plainfield woman has died following a single-vehicle crash Monday evening in Wood County, according to authorities.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Department, along with multiple emergency response agencies, was dispatched to the scene on April 13 after reports of a crash along State Highway 73 near Apple Road in the Town of Sigel.
Preliminary findings indicate that a pickup truck traveling southbound on Highway 73 left the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation and entered a roadside ditch.
During the incident, a passenger, identified as Lori Whiteley, was ejected from the vehicle.
Whiteley sustained severe injuries and was transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital for treatment.
Despite medical efforts, she later succumbed to her injuries.
Officials have not announced any charges in connection with the crash at this time.
The Wisconsin State Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.